Recent immigration enforcement actions by federal officials have raised many questions about how they might affect the provision of services for both documented and undocumented immigrants, particularly in regards to health care settings. Under currently effective federal policy, hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics and other health care facilities are designated as "sensitive locations" in regards to immigration enforcement actions. See below for more information about what this designation means, and what the rights and responsibilities of health care providers and patients are regarding the current policy.
February 2019 Information about the family detention policy at the border, the Catholic Church’s position on this issue and how you can help to support alternatives.
April 2017 Justice for Immigrants Webinar: Enforcement At Sensitive Locations. This webinar discusses the current federal policy regarding enforcement at sensitive locations, including health care facilities.
Health Care Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Patients' Rights. This factsheet from the National Immigration Law Center provides suggestions to hospitals, medical centers, community health centers and other health care facilities on how to prepare for and respond to enforcement actions by immigration officials and interactions with law enforcement that could result in immigration consequences for their patients.
Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights. This factsheet from the National Immigration Law Center has recommendations for health care facilities on how to prepare for possible interactions with enforcement officials.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Oct. 2011 Memo: Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Jan. 2013 Memo: Enforcement Actions at or Near Certain Community Locations
The Migration and Refugee Services committee of the USCCB is providing public service announcements with information about the rights of parents and other sponsors of undocumented immigrant children. The videos are available in English and Spanish.